Proton elastic form factor ratios to $Q^2$ = 3.5 GeV$^2$ by polarization transfer

Abstract

The ratio of the proton elastic electromagnetic form factors, $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$, was obtained by measuring $P_{t}$ and $P_{\ell}$, the transverse and longitudinal recoil proton polarization components, respectively, for the elastic $\vec e p \to e\vec p$ ~reaction in the four-momentum transfer squared range of 0.5 to 3.5 GeV$^2$. In the single-photon exchange approximation, the ratio $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$ is directly proportional to the ratio $P_t/P_{\ell}$. The simultaneous measurement of $P_{t}$ and $P_{\ell}$ in a polarimeter reduces systematic uncertainties. The results for the ratio $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$ show a systematic decrease with increasing $Q^2$, indicating for the first time a definite difference in the distribution of charge and magnetization in the proton. The data have been re-analyzed and systematic uncertainties have become significantly smaller than previously published results.